Americans abroad warned of dangers

WASHINGTON {AP} Americans abroad may be the target of a threat from extremist groups with links to suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, the State Department said Friday night.

The department said in a "worldwide caution" to Americans that information received about the alleged threat is being taken seriously.

It noted that individuals associated with bin Laden have not distinguished between official and civilian targets.

Officials said the announcement was related to the ongoing trial of four men accused in bombings at two U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998. Prosecutors in the New York trial alleged the defendants conspired to kill Americans at the two sites on orders from bin Laden, an exiled Saudi who is believed to be living in Afghanistan.

The State Department announcement said U.S. government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.